The Big Dig!
Crop Talk: August 25, 2014 
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U-Pick, U-Play, U-Grow


Week 13 CSA Shares
Edamame!

The last box of August includes:

 honeycrisp apples, big sweet corn, nectarines, a bag of edamame, a bag of green beans  and a bag of potatoes.

 Eda what?

   "I knew edamame had 'arrived' when I saw Faith Hill snacking on them during a backstage-type interview for Country Music Television."

 

--Elaine Magee, MPH, RD on WebMD


   Edamame is the Japanese name for young soybeans. According to Sandi Busch of Demand Media, "edamame are a powerhouse of nutrition. One cup has at least 6 percent of the recommended daily intake of all nutrients except vitamin D. You'll also gain 20 to 40 percent of the daily intake of protein, fiber, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, thiamin, folate and vitamin K. 
   Soybeans are one of the few plant sources of complete protein, providing 30 percent of the daily value for men and 37 percent for women, based on a 2,000 calorie-a-day diet." 

The pods are tough and fibrous, so most sources recommend eating just the tender beans inside the pods.

 

Herbed Corn and Edamame succotash

 

1 1/2 cups shelled edamame beans

2 cups corn kernels

1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper

1/4 cup chopped onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon canola oil

3 tablespoons dry white wine or water

2 tablespoons rice vinegar

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried

1/2 teaspoon salt

Freshly ground pepper to taste


   Cook edamame in a large saucepan of lightly salted water until tender, about 4 minutes. Drain well.

   Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add bell pepper, onion and garlic; cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables start to soften, about 2 minutes. 

   Stir in corn, wine (or water) and the edamame; cook, stirring frequently, for 4 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in vinegar, parsley, basil, salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

 

--from Eatingwell.com

 

Our potato fields are more productive this year than ever, which means you'll get plenty of then to use now and to store for later in the year.Health Magazine offers 26 reasons to love potatoes, including:

 

--they fight colds because they're high in vitamins A and C

--they lower your blood pressure because they're high in potassium

--they flip all the switches that make you feel full

--you can live on them for extended periods if you have to

 

 

Reminder: As the school year begins and schedules start shifting, if you need to change your regularly scheduled pick-up day just let us know.  As always we understand that "life happens" so if you miss your regularly scheduled pick up day, just come anytime before Sunday at 6pm to pick up. 

 
In Memory of Farmer Bob Sapp...

Proceeds from all the mini-tractors we sell during The Big Dig will go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, to facilitate their work in honor of Bob Sapp, our much beloved tractor driver and friend who passed away last summer.

 We miss you, Bob.

 

 


 

 

Bluemont Vineyard Wines at Epicurience 
August 29 through August 31

The Greek philosopher Epicurus, who believed that the pleasures of good food, good wine, and good friends were among life's greatest blessings, lends his name and his spirit to a festival featuring Loudoun County wines, including wines from Bluemont Vineyard.  The festival recently headed a Fox News list of late-summer food festivals.

 

"The weekend's main event is the Epicurience Virginia Grand Tasting, a day-long showcase on the grounds of historic Morven Park featuring winemakers and farmers; beer, wine, spirits and gourmet food tastings; demos by chefs including Nathalie Dupree and Scott Drewno," writes Hannah Sentenac.  "There are also wine and cider seminars and a wine blending competition where attendees can work with a Loudoun winemaker."


The celebration begins Friday, August 29, at Morven Park in Leesburg and continues through August 31. For more information, visit the event's website. Use the promo code EpicBlend for a $10 ticket discount and a chance to participate in the Ultimate Winemaker Challenge.

 

Farming News 
From the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

Deregulation oF GMO Corn and Soybeans

(Originally published by The Ecologist on August 14, 2014) 

     The US is poised to 'deregulate' GMO corn, soybean and cotton varieties resistant to the herbicides 2,4-D and dicamba. The result will be a big increase in the use of those herbicides, as high as 600%. Only a huge public outcry can now stop the GMO-herbicide juggernaut.

     "The only options USDA is willing to consider are ones that lead to increased profits for chemical companies. We need to get off the pesticide treadmill, not increase the speed."

     The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued its final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and proposed approval for new GMO corn and soybean varieties genetically engineered to be resistant to the toxic herbicide 2,4-D. (Read more here.)

Farm News
The Big Dig
Pancakes, Potatoes, and Tractors
August 30 & 31
Fuel-up with a stack of  hot pancakes before you head out to the potato field to dig your supply for the winter.


 Our first 100 guests will receive a complimentary bag from Virginia Grown to carry their spuds. Everyone else should bring a reusable cloth shopping bag of their own to save the potatoes to each over time. 


In The Market This Week

Honeycrisp apples $1.29/lb
Cucumbers $1 each
GCF Peaches  $1.99/lb 
GCF Nectarines  $1.99/lb
Sweet Corn $5.99/dz or $.69/ear
Cherry Tomatoes $1.99/lb
Summer Squash $1.29/lb
Potatoes $.89/lb
Beets $2.99/lb
Green peppers $2.79/lb

 

CSA U-pick Bonus
August 26-- August 31
4 apples
a bag of table grapes
*
CSA Bonus Ticker
Week 12: TBD as it keeps changing throughout the week.
Year to Date: $78.32
 
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